SURFRIDER FOUNDATION CONTESTS PLANS FOR SEISMIC TESTING IN THE ATLANTIC

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Feb. 28, 2014—The Surfrider Foundation, a leading non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches, is deeply dismayed by the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) released today by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

The Surfrider Foundation's Ocean Program Manager, Pete Stauffer, issued the following statement in reaction to the decision.

“Seismic airgun testing would cause catastrophic impacts to the marine ecosystem, including injury and death to hundreds of thousands of whales and dolphins. It would also set the stage for offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast, a dirty and dangerous practice that threatens the health of our oceans and coastal communities. On behalf of more than 250,000 Surfrider Foundation members and supporters, including more than 25 local chapters from Maine to Florida who have vigorously opposed the proposal, we call upon the Obama Administration to cancel plans for seismic testing in the Atlantic ocean."

The PEIS, which evaluates proposed seismic exploration for oil and gas resources in the South and Mid-Atlantic ocean, recommends Alternative B. This would authorize extensive seismic surveys during the next eight years, setting the stage for future oil and gas development off the Atlantic coast.

As the Ocean Program Manager, Pete Stauffer leads Surfrider’s engagement in ocean issues such as offshore drilling, marine protected areas, ocean planning, and renewable energy. Contact Pete for more information at pstauffer@surfrider.org or 503.887.0514.

About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 250,000 supporters, activists and members worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org.